Trump emphasized that he and Putin had concluded that the most effective solution to the ongoing conflict was not a temporary halt in hostilities but rather a comprehensive peace agreement that would completely end the war. He underlined the imbalance of power by pointing out that Russia remained a major global power while Ukraine was comparatively smaller, stressing that negotiations should take this reality into account. Following his high-profile summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, held in Alaska for nearly three hours, Trump reiterated that superficial ceasefire arrangements often collapse and therefore a permanent peace treaty was the only meaningful way forward. This marked a notable change in tone and policy direction, as the meeting represented the first major U.S.-Russia dialogue since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
After the summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded with caution while still signaling openness to cooperation. He stated that Ukraine was prepared for constructive engagement and even expressed tentative support for the possibility of a trilateral meeting involving Kyiv, Washington, and Moscow. However, Zelenskyy also took to social media to lay out Ukraine’s strict conditions, which he described as non-negotiable red lines. He emphasized that genuine peace must be lasting and not serve as a pause before Russia launches another invasion. In his statement, he demanded the immediate cessation of killings, the safe return of abducted children and prisoners, and the establishment of firm security guarantees that would involve both European nations and the United States.
Zelenskyy further underscored that no decisions about Ukraine’s future, especially regarding its territorial integrity, could be made without Ukraine’s direct participation in negotiations. He made it clear that Ukraine would not accept any deal imposed upon it from the outside. Additionally, he stressed that sanctions imposed on Russia should not be weakened; instead, they must be intensified if Moscow attempts to evade or undermine a genuine resolution to the conflict. These demands reflected Ukraine’s determination to ensure that any peace agreement would not only stop the fighting temporarily but also provide long-term guarantees against further aggression.
Putin, on the other hand, gave little indication of compromise following the summit. In his brief remarks, he avoided mentioning Zelenskyy or entertaining the idea of a trilateral discussion. Instead, he maintained that Russia was open to working on ensuring Ukraine’s security but insisted that the outcome depended on Kyiv and European capitals demonstrating what he called a constructive approach. In a later interview with Fox News, Trump revealed that key issues such as territorial adjustments and security guarantees had been raised during the talks. He suggested that significant progress had already been made, claiming that the two sides were “pretty close to a deal,” while admitting that Ukraine might ultimately reject the proposals.
When asked directly what advice he would offer Zelenskyy, Trump responded bluntly that the Ukrainian leader should focus on striking a deal. Despite the optimism expressed in the diplomatic exchanges, the reality on the ground remained grim. Ukraine’s armed forces reported intercepting a large number of Russian drones overnight, while Moscow claimed it had destroyed twenty-nine Ukrainian drones in return. These simultaneous announcements highlighted the continuing intensity of the conflict even as peace discussions were unfolding at the highest levels.
The summit concluded with a moment of symbolic significance between Trump and Putin. As Trump thanked Putin and suggested they would be speaking again soon, Putin responded in English with a suggestion that the next meeting take place in Moscow. Trump acknowledged that such a statement might provoke criticism back home, joking that he would face political backlash for entertaining the idea. Nonetheless, he hinted that a visit to Moscow could realistically occur soon, reinforcing the sense that the two leaders were exploring closer dialogue even amid widespread skepticism.
